Education Providers
The three main education providers are the Territory Government (151 schools), Catholic Education (15) and the Independent schools sector (20). Government schools are often called State Schools or Public Schools. Non-government schools are usually called Private schools.

Religion
Most Private schools have a religious affiliation, but some are non-denominational. All Northern Territory Government schools are non-denominational.

Northern Territory school children have one (non-compulsory) Pre-school year followed by a (non-compulsory) Transition Year; six years of Primary school (Year 1 to 6); three years in Middle school (Year 7 to 9); and three years in Senior school (Year 10 to 12). There are a few Primary and Secondary schools on the same campus in the Government and Private sector, but most Primary and Secondary schools are on a separate campus.

Starting and Finishing Age
Contact the Education Department in your State for details.

School Curriculum
There is an emphasis on eight Key Learning Areas from Transition to Year 10 in Northern Territory schools: English; Mathematics; Design and Technology; Studies of Society and the Environment (SOSE); Languages Other Than English (LOTE); Science; The Arts; and Health and Physical Education.

Senior School - NTCE and VET
The Northern Territory Certificate of Education (NTCE) is awarded to students who successfully complete their senior secondary education. Students can opt to undertake Vocational Education Training (VET) courses in Senior years. VET courses include practical and hands-on experience study in areas such as trades, hospitality and IT. The NTCE score can be translated to meet Tertiary Entry requirements at universities in any State in Australia. Some VET courses can help gain a place at a university, as well as getting an industry qualification at the same time.

Languages
Language subjects are called Languages Other Than English (LOTE). Studying one or more languages is part of the school curriculum.

Special Interest and Gifted and Talented
Some schools offer facilities and courses that cater to students talented in a particular area. There is a specialist Agriculture school in the Northern Territory. Some schools offer Accelerated Learning programs for students who are able to learn more quickly.

Scholarships
Many Independent and Catholic schools offer scholarships to students for academic excellence and some schools offer scholarships to students who display excellence in other areas.

Selective Schools
There are no academically selective schools in the Northern Territory.

Special Needs Schools
There are Special Needs Schools for children with disabilities in the Government sector in Northern Territory. Some mainstream schools have programs for Special Needs students on their campuses.

Alternative Schools
Schools with an alternative philosophical approach to education, such as Steiner or Montessori are all Private schools in the Northern Territory.

Distance Education
The Education department provides education for students in remote areas or those unable to attend school. Students can also do Distance Education in subjects not offered at their school.

Boarding
There are Boarding schools in the Private school sector at Primary and Secondary level. There is a Government Residential College for students from remote areas in Katherine.

International Students
International students can study in a variety of schools in the Northern Territory.

School Uniforms
Most schools expect students to wear uniforms. Uniforms are usually unique to the school.

School Term Dates
There are four school terms in Northern Territory schools, with the main holidays over the summer Christmas period. All Government schools follow an annually determined set of term dates. Private school term dates can vary a little a little from these and from each other.